We thank Brenner and Holleczek for their comment and for pointing out the complementary data from the Saarland cancer registry (1). In analogy to the publications evaluated in our review article (2), these data show a reduction in first diagnoses of colorectal cancer.
Regarding the evaluation of these findings, we think that prompt scientific studies are required of incident cases of colorectal cancer in 2021 and subsequent years as well as of mortality due to colorectal cancer in Germany. The question that needs to be resolved is whether the reduction of colorectal cancer first diagnosis that was observed even before the pandemic is continuing, and what effects this overriding trend has potentially on first diagnoses of colorectal cancer delayed during the pandemic.
As shown in our article, robust data on the effects of the pandemic on diagnoses and mortality published in real time are lacking in Germany. This is, however, the prerequisite for evidence based management of resources in oncology that are sometimes scarce even beyond the pandemic but are fundamental to the best possible care for patients with cancer.
Footnotes
Conflict of interest statement
The author declare that no conflict of interest exists.
References
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